As NBA Lakers rumors continue to be a hot topic of discussion in the 2012 offseason, the conversation seems to be turning more and more towards how strong the chances are for the team to win another title in Los Angeles. That would mean a sixth ring for Kobe Bryant, tying him with Michael Jordan's NBA championships, and furthering that "who is the greatest of all time" debate.
However, Kobe may face some obstacles in 2012-13 during this new super team's campaign for an NBA title. As Bleacher Report notes in a new video and article, Kobe's biggest obstacle might be his big ego. One member of the BR staff suggests that at times Kobe thinks he's the only option for the team in terms of scoring, and he'll need to take on a "more selfless" role in order to succeed this season. That is something that Dwyane Wade of the Heat sort of had to do one LeBron James arrived in South Beach, so Kobe might be able to take a cue from D-Wade. Then again, Kobe's legacy is a bit more solid than Wade's at this point in his career, so maybe the ego is justified?
The other BR staff member suggests that the big obstacle could be the Lakers' defense. The team was ranked 13th in the league overall in terms of D last season, and in terms of their additions, Nash and Jamison don't add much in the way of defense. Also, right now, Dwight Howard has everyone in LA singing the praises, but his health is still questionable. It's unknown how effective he'll be after coming back from herniated disc surgery. If he's not in top form, it could spell trouble for the team as they try to stop other star-studded teams such as Miami or Oklahoma City.
Another obstacle will be Kobe's efficiency, and that he'll need to realize he has 3 other superstars along with him in this campaign. Nash, Howard, and Gasol are all All-stars, and potentially some Hall of Famers as well. There's also guys like Metta World Peace and Antawn Jamison who can score at times. So Kobe might need to get past his scoring ego, and think about the team's scoring efficiency, rather than how many points he's getting. The "selfless" mentality is what seems to be the common theme, and something Kobe needs to adapt if he wants that sixth title.
Which of the obstacles do you think will be the biggest one in terms of LA winning a championship in 2012-13? Will it be Kobe Bryant's mentality, or the Lakers' defense?
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